As Billy Currington said in his 2010 song, Bad Day of Fishin’, “A bad day of fishin’ beats a good day of anything else.”

Fishing is one of America’s favorite pastimes, whether the fish are biting or not. In fact, according to the World Bank, an estimated 220 million people worldwide are recreational anglers, from the neighborhood pond to the deep sea.

In People Fishing: A Century of Photographs, photo archivists Barbara Levine and Paige Ramey compiled dozens of photographs, postcards and pieces of art depicting anglers from all walks of life. Many of the images predate color photography, taking readers back to the early 20th century.

Several prominent historical figures make appearances in the book. Among them are Boston Red Sox great Ted Williams, actor Charlie Chaplin, opera singer Enrico Caruso and presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Check out the gallery below to take a sneak peek inside People Fishing, available April 17.

Photos reprinted with permission of the Princeton Architectural Press.

AMG/Parade Digital

Connect With Us

More from AMG/Parade

Our partners

Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance
of our User Agreement,
Privacy Policy,
Cookie Notification,
and awareness of the California Privacy Rights.
Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal
and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced,
distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used,
without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Media Group.
Ad Choices